Why int plus float shows me weird number? - c++

Question

I am new to c++ and I am trying to accomplish my 1st assignment. I don't need a decision but I want to know what am I doing wrong? Here is my code:
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main(){
int chTenders;
int frOrders;
int macCh;
int drinks;
int sauces;
float tip;
float subtotal;
subtotal = chTenders + frOrders + macCh + drinks + sauces + tip;
cout << "How many chicken tenders would you like?\n";
cin >> chTenders;
cout << "How many orders of fries would you like?\n";
cin >> frOrders;
cout << "How many orders of mac and cheese would you like?\n";
cin >> macCh;
cout << "How many drinks would you like?\n";
cin >> drinks;
cout << "How many sauces would you like?\n";
cin >> sauces;
cout << "How much would you like to tip?\n";
cin >> tip;
cout << "====Slim's Order====\n";
cout << "Subtotal $" << subtotal << endl;
return 0;
}
And when I compile and run this it gives me $2.60929e+08 instead of 6.0:
How many chicken tenders would you like?
1
How many orders of fries would you like?
1
How many orders of mac and cheese would you like?
1
How many drinks would you like?
1
How many sauces would you like?
1
How much would you like to tip?
1
====Slim's Order====
Subtotal $2.60929e+08

Answer 1

I think the order of your calculations is just off. subtotal is calculated before you receive input values into the summands (chTenders, frOrders, etc.). Move the subtotal=... line to after the cin << tip statement.

Answer 2

To elaborate on the why, you are computing the value of subtotal before you assign any values to the variables. In C++, until you assign a value to a variable, the result of accessing it is based on what ever happened to be written to that bit of memory by some other process. So you essentially computed a garbage value and then asked the user for input. It is often considered a good practice in C++ to initialize variables at the same time they are defined.